“Writers learn to write by paying a certain sort of attention to the works of their great and less great predecessors in the medium of written language, as well as by merely reading them." (Toni Cade Bambara, writer)
A sentence-composing approach gives students new tools to write mature and varied sentences. This method uses a lot of model writing from both classic and contemporary literature to show students how the pieces of the sentence combine to make it really good. Authors include: John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Maya Angelou, J.D. Salinger, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and many others. The process is simplified into four "power tools" and five techniques which makes it easy to understand and apply. I think students will enjoy seeing samples of authors they may have read to demonstrate good writing. They are more likely to emulate an author's style and format if they like their stories. It is an approach which sets this book apart from others. I found this to be well organized and easy to follow. 233 pgs, pb. ~ Sara